Why The World Needs Bob Marley Today

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Today is Bob Marley's birthday. He is the ultimate embodiment of "reasoning", so it is fitting that this blog will feature Bob Marley as today's blog post.

Personally, I cannot imagine my life without having known his music. From the day I was born, Bob Marley has been playing in my house. My family knew him, but I was too young to remember. And although I can sing the words of every single song, and find a song for every mood or occasion, I don't remember him.

I do remember the day he died. My mother picked me up from school and told me when I got in the car. I was 9, but I remember it like it was yesterday.

I've often said:

• If you need inspiration - listen to Bob
  
• If you need cheering up - listen to Bob
  
• If you are angry about or with someone or something - listen to Bob
  
• Or if you just want some vibes - listen to Bob

Importantly, if you want to understand the real world - listen to Bob.

His words and music are timeless. He always has just the right thing to say.

Needless to say, the impression Bob Marley has had and continues to have on my life is immeasurable.

Everywhere I go, and I meet someone and they ask me "Where are you from?" I say "Jamaica". Without fail, the response is "Jamaica, Bob Marley!" With a smile.

Watch his concerts and over-packed venues with screaming fans in countries that don't even speak English as a first language, let alone Jamaican dialect (patois). Watch their faces - they know every word.

That a man could come from such humble beginnings could impact the whole world in this timeless manner is mind boggling. That he continues to do so, conquering the world with messages of peace, love and overcoming rather that what we have become accustomed to - hatred and war, is indeed stupendous. As Jamaicans, we should all be proud. Maybe if the world listened to a little more Bob, half our problems would be over.

There's something in his life we should all know, or remember. On April 22, 1978, Bob had the One Love Peace Concert. Jamaica was embroiled in such bitter political divisions and warfare, it nearly tore us apart. Look up Jamaica's history - this is not an exaggeration. The concert was to cool down the warfare.

Bob called the leaders of the two parties on stage to hold hands in unity with him - for the people. That they did so amazed everyone.

Here is that video clip. Listen to what he's saying. If you don't understand Jamaican patois, let me translate: He's saying "Show the people that we're going to unite. Show the people that we're going to do them right. Show the people that everything is alright". And then he called for Michael Manley (the then Prime Minister) and Edward Seaga (the then Leader of the Opposition), and they joined hands with him



Then he says "Show the people that we're going to unite. That we mean them right" (Mean them right means having their best interests at heart)

A lot of unity would carry us a far way right now.

Need a song to inspire you in this global economic crisis we are in: "Wake Up and Live"



Lyrics?

Wake up and live, y'all,
Wake up and live!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live!

Life is one big road with lots of signs,
So when you riding through the ruts, don't you complicate your mind:
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality, yeah!

All together now:
Wake up and live (wake up and live, y'all),
Wake up and live (wake up and live),
wake up and wake up and live, yeah! (wake up and live now),
Wake up and (wake up and live) - wake up and live!

Rise ye mighty people, ye-ah!
There's work to be done,
So let's do it-a little by little:
Rise from your sleepless slumber! Yes, yeah! Yes, yeah!
We're more than sand on the seashore,
We're more than numbers.

All together now:
Wake up and live now, y'all!
(Wake up and live) Wake up and live!
Wake up and live, y'all!
(Wake up and live) Wake up and live now!

You see, one - one cocoa full a basket,
Whey they use you live big today: tomorrow you buried in-a casket.
One - one cocoa full a basket, yeah, yes!
Whey they use you live big today: tomorrow you bury in-a casket.

W'all together now:
(Wake up and live now!) Wake up and live! Oh! Yeah-eah!
(Wake up and live!) Uh!
(Wake up and live now!) Wake up and live!
(Wake up and live) Keep on playin'!
(Wake up and live, y'all) Uh! Yeah! Yeah!
(Wake up and live!)
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!) Break it down!
---
[Saxophone solo]
Come on, man!
How is it feelin' over there?
(Wake up and live now) All right!
(Wake up and live!) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Uh!
Come on, man!
You gotta wake up and live!
---
Life is one big road with lots of signs, yes!
So when you riding through the ruts, don't you complicate your mind:
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts; put your dream to reality, yeah!

W'all together now:
(Wake up and live, y'all)
(Wake up and live!) Wake up and live, yea-eah!
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!)
Wake up and live now!
(Wake up and live) Wo-oh!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live